Highland Manor Inn

The hotel’s helpful service and nearby places to eat made the stay easy. It sits right on the highway, so it’s convenient for getting around, and a pathway runs by the property for walks. From here, you can visit the Great Smokey Mountains, the Little River, Maryville, or Gatlinburg. It’s a comfortable place that makes good use of the Smokies’ “quiet side,” and worth a stay.

The staff at the front desk were kind and helpful, but we won’t be back because of the owner’s behavior. As we were loading the car after our three-night stay, she came in yelling that our service animals weren’t service animals, accused us of violating the rules, and said we’d be charged fees. My boyfriend yelled back, while I pulled up the papers and emailed them to her. I asked her to confirm she’d received my email and that there’d be no extra charge. She rudely replied that she didn’t know because she hadn’t checked the room yet, which sounded like she thought we’d trashed it. I told her I’d dispute any charge beyond what we’d originally paid. Here’s what happened at check-in: I’d booked the wrong hotel by accident. I meant to reserve the Tremont, and only realized this hotel doesn’t accept pets. Before we got a key, I asked whether our service animals would be allowed. The front desk woman said yes, said no proof was needed, and confirmed we wouldn’t be charged fees. We stayed the weekend, three nights in all. About an hour after the argument, I went back to get the names of the two women who’d helped us and to check that the room was okay. A different front desk woman told me she’d sent out or portfolio email, and that the room and all of our things were at zero balance and good to go. I thanked her and left.

We had no reservation after being burned at an Airbnb, but Sandra kindly took us in late on Christmas Eve. She was so sweet and welcoming. Our room had a fireplace, and we ended up having the romantic Christmas we’d hoped for. We’ll be back, and highly recommend this place. Thank you!

The rooms are a bit dated, but they were clean and tidy. For a car club event, the facility worked well, with plenty of parking and a good-sized meeting room. Breakfast was fine for me, with juice, coffee, hard-boiled eggs, toast, pastries, and cereal, though it wasn’t as extensive as what some chains offer. The hotel itself deserves a positive review, but I’m still unhappy about being charged $172 over someone else’s mistake. I reserved by phone with Sandy, who was pleasant. The event ran three nights, but I could only arrive late Friday and leave Sunday, so I intended to book two nights. I received a confirmation email and didn’t read it, which was my mistake. Sandy had booked all three nights. I arrived Friday as planned, just before the desk closed, got my key, and was told to check in the next morning. When I did, Sandy said I’d be charged for all three nights. I explained I hadn’t planned to arrive Thursday, but she said I should have read the email and that the room couldn’t be rented to anyone else. When I appealed at checkout, she offered a free night in the off season. It was a shared mistake, but I was the only one who paid for it. I’ve booked well over a hundred rooms and never had this happen.